Research on infant sleep and media use is mostly correlational, so we designed an experiment to test real effects.
The blue light emitted by tablets is often believed to interfere with sleep by suppressing the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep cycles.
However, a new experimental study led by developmental psychologists at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, suggests that this may not be the case for young children. ()
TOP INSIGHT
Contrary to popular belief, new research suggests that #bluelight from tablets may not disrupt #sleep in young #children!
This challenges common assumptions about screen time before bed for the little ones. More studies needed, but an interesting finding! #KidsSleep #ScreenTime #Parenting
Examining Tablet Use and Sleep in Toddlers: A Home-Based Study
Professor Sabine Seehagen, Dr. Neele Hermesch, and Dr. Carolin Konrad from the Chair of Developmental Psychology conducted a comprehensive experiment to examine the effect of tablet use on sleep in children aged 15 to 24 months, within the comfort of their own homes. Unlike previous correlational studies, which cannot establish cause and effect, this study aimed to provide more precise insights into how tablet exposure influences sleep.
The researchers visited 32 participating families twice, guiding them through the study procedures. The key question: does watching a story on a tablet have different effects on melatonin release and nighttime sleep compared to reading the same story in a picture book?
Tracking Toddler Sleep: Actiwatches and Melatonin Monitoring
Children wore an actiwatch on their ankle to monitor movement during the night, allowing scientists to measure sleep duration, quality, and time taken to fall asleep. Additionally, melatonin levels were tracked through three saliva samples collected each evening.
The team expected that tablet use would result in a flatter increase in melatonin levels compared to the picture book, indicating suppression by blue light.
Surprisingly, the data did not support this assumption. The children’s melatonin production and sleep patterns were similar on tablet and book nights, suggesting that short-term tablet use may not negatively impact sleep in young children as previously feared.
Professor Seehagen commented, “This field has been dominated by correlational studies, which can’t tell us if media use really causes poor sleep. Our experiment in real home environments provides new evidence that tablet exposure may not be as disruptive as often assumed.”
References:
- Using a Tablet before Bed Not as Harmful as Believed – (https://news.rub.de/english/press-releases/2025-11-20-developmental-psychology-using-tablet-bed-not-harmful-believed)
Source-Medindia